George Cukor
Born	George Dewey Cukor 7 July 1899(1899-07-07) New York City, New York, USA
Died	January 24, 1983 (aged 83) Los Angeles, California, USA

George Dewey Cukor (July 7, 1899 – January 24, 1983) was an Academy Award-winning American film director. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The City of New York The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A film director, or filmmaker, is a person who directs the making of a Film. Cukor's career flourished at RKO Studios where he directed a string of impressive films including What Price Hollywood? (1932), A Bill of Divorcement (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Little Women (1933), David Copperfield (1935), Romeo and Juliet (1936), and Camille (1937). What Price Hollywood? is an American film released in, directed by George Cukor, and written by Gene Fowler and Rowland Brown from a story by A Bill of Divorcement is a British play written by Clemence Dane that debuted in 1921 in London. Little Women is a monochrome (b&w with sound 1933 film made by RKO and directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Sarah Y Romeo and Juliet is a film adaptation of the play by Shakespeare, directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Talbot Jennings. Camille is an American 1936 Drama film directed by George Cukor and produced by Irving Thalberg and Bernard H

Contents 1 Biography 2 Filmography 3 References 4 Bibliography 5 External links

Biography

Cukor was born in New York City to Hungarian Jewish immigrants, Victor F. The City of New York Hungary (Magyarország 'mɔɟɔrorsaːg) officially in English the Republic of Hungary ( Magyar Köztársaság, literally Magyar (Hungarian Republic PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ and Helen (Gross) Cukor. As a teenager, he was infatuated with theater and often cut classes to attend afternoon matinees. Theatre (or theater, see spelling differences) is the branch of the Performing arts defined by Bernard Beckerman as what "occurs when one Following his graduation from De Witt Clinton High School in 1916, he spent a year with the Students Army Training Corps. He then obtained a job as an assistant stage manager for a Chicago theater company. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. After gaining three years of experience, he formed his own stock company in Rochester, New York in 1920, giving set designer employment to a young Russel Wright, and worked there for seven years. Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York State, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Russel Wright ( April 3, 1904 – December 21, 1976) was an American Industrial designer during the 20th century He then returned to Broadway where he worked with such formidable actresses as Ethel Barrymore, Dorothy Gish, Estelle Winwood, and Jeanne Eagels. Ethel Barrymore ( August 15, 1879 – June 18, 1959) was an Academy Award -winning American actress and a member of Dorothy Elizabeth Gish ( March 11, 1898 - June 4, 1968) was an American actress Estelle Winwood ( January 24 1883 &ndash June 20 1984) was an English stage and movie actress who Jeanne Eagels ( June 26, 1894 – October 3, 1929) was an actress on Broadway and in several motion pictures

When Hollywood began to recruit New York theater talent for sound films, Cukor answered their call and moved there in 1929. A sound film is a motion picture with synchronized sound, or sound technologically coupled to image as opposed to a Silent film. His first job was as a dialog director at Paramount Pictures for the film River of Romance (1929), followed by All Quiet on the Western Front (1930) at Universal Pictures. Paramount Pictures Corporation is an American motion picture production and Distribution company, based in Hollywood California. All Quiet on the Western Front is a War film based on the Erich Maria Remarque novel of the same name. Universal Studios (sometimes called Universal Pictures or Universal City Studios) a subsidiary of NBC Universal, is a major Global American He then co-directed three films at Paramount before making his solo debut directing Tallulah Bankhead in Tarnished Lady (1931). Tallulah Brockman Bankhead ( January 31, 1902 – December 12, 1968) was an American Actress, talk-show host and Cukor left Paramount after a legal dispute resulting from his dismissal from an earlier Paramount film, One Hour With You (1932), and went to work with David O. Selznick at RKO Studios. One Hour with You is a 1932 film nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. David O Selznick, born David Selznick ( May 10, 1902 &ndash June 22, 1965) was one of the iconic Hollywood producers

Cukor's career flourished at RKO where he directed a string of impressive films including What Price Hollywood? (1932 ), A Bill of Divorcement (1932), Dinner at Eight (1933), Little Women (1933), David Copperfield (1935), Romeo and Juliet (1936), and Camille (1937). What Price Hollywood? is an American film released in, directed by George Cukor, and written by Gene Fowler and Rowland Brown from a story by A Bill of Divorcement is a British play written by Clemence Dane that debuted in 1921 in London. Dinner at Eight is a Pre-Code 1933 Comedy of manners /drama produced by MGM Studios. Little Women is a monochrome (b&w with sound 1933 film made by RKO and directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Sarah Y Romeo and Juliet is a film adaptation of the play by Shakespeare, directed by George Cukor from a screenplay by Talbot Jennings. Camille is an American 1936 Drama film directed by George Cukor and produced by Irving Thalberg and Bernard H

By this time, Cukor had established a reputation as a director who could coax great performances from actresses and he became known as a "woman's director," a title which he resented. ^[1] One of Cukor's first ingenues was actress Katharine Hepburn, who debuted in A Bill of Divorcement and whose looks and personality left RKO officials at a loss as to how to use her. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage Cukor ended up directing her in her most successful films and they became close friends off the set.

Cukor was hired to direct Gone with the Wind by David O. Gone with the Wind is a 1939 American dramatic - romantic - War film adapted from Margaret Mitchell 's 1936 Selznick in 1937 and he spent two years with pre-production duties as well as spending long hours coaching Vivien Leigh and Olivia de Havilland, the film's stars. Vivien Leigh Lady Olivier (5 November 1913 &ndash 8 July 1967 was an English actress. Olivia Mary de Havilland (born July 1, 1916) is a two-time Academy Award -winning actress. Cukor was replaced after less than three weeks of shooting, but continued to coach Leigh and De Havilland off the set. ^[2]

Following the firing of its original director Richard Thorpe, Cukor also played a similar role in the production of The Wizard of Oz. For the historian and biographer see D R Thorpe. Richard Thorpe ( February 24, 1896 - May 1, 1991 Brought in on a temporary basis he made crucial changes to the look and feel of the film. In particular, he adjusted Judy Garland's makeup, costuming and performance, encouraging her to act in a more natural manner that greatly contributed to the success of the final film. ^[3]

Cukor's next film, The Women (1939), a popular film notable for its all female cast and The Philadelphia Story (1940) starring Katharine Hepburn. The Philadelphia Story is a romantic Comedy film starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart, and directed by He also directed another of his favorite actresses, Greta Garbo, in Two Faced Woman (1941), her last film before she retired from the screen. Greta Garbo ( 18 September 1905 &ndash 15 April 1990) was a Swedish-American actress during Hollywood 's

The 1940s was a decade of hits and misses for Cukor. He was off track with Two Faced Woman as well as Her Cardboard Lover (1942 ) starring Norma Shearer. Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. However, he did achieve more success with films such as A Woman's Face (1941) with Joan Crawford, Gaslight (1944) with Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer, and Adam's Rib (1949) with Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy. A Woman's Face is a 1941 Motion picture directed by George Cukor, and starring Joan Crawford, Melvyn Douglas and Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture This article is about the 1944 film Gaslight For the 1940 release see Gaslight. (ˈbærjman in Swedish but usually ˈbɝgmən in English (August 29 1915 &ndash August 29 1982 was a Swedish three-time Academy Award -winning and two-time Emmy Charles Boyer (28 August 1899 – 26 August 1978 was a four-time Academy Award -nominated French Actor who starred in a number of classic Hollywood Adam's Rib is a 1949 film starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn and directed by George Cukor. Spencer Tracy ( April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was a two-time Academy Award -winning Actor of stage and

Cukor's reputation as an actor's director continued as he helped several actors win Academy Awards. "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. James Stewart won a Best Actor Oscar for The Philadelphia Story, Ronald Colman won a Best Actor Oscar for A Double Life (1947) and Judy Holliday won for Best Actress for Born Yesterday (1950 ). James Maitland Stewart (20 May 1908 – 2 July 1997 popularly known as Jimmy Stewart, was an American Film and stage Actor Best Actor is the name of an award It is presented by various film organizations Film festivals and people's awards Ronald Colman ( February 9 1891 &ndash May 19 1958) was an English Academy Award and Golden Globe -winning actor Best Actor is the name of an award It is presented by various film organizations Film festivals and people's awards A Double Life is a 1947 Film noir which tells the story of an actor whose mind becomes affected by the character he portrays Judy Holliday (June 21 1921 – June 7 1965 was an American Academy - and Tony Award -winning Actress. Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to For the 1993 remake see Born Yesterday (1993 film Born Yesterday is a 1950 film directed by George In 1954, Cukor made his first film in color, A Star Is Born which featured an impressive come-back performance by Judy Garland. A Star Is Born is a 1954 musical Remake of the original 1937 film, directed by George Cukor and starring Judy Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10 1922 – June 22 1969 was an American actress and singer He directed the ill-fated Something's Got to Give in 1962. Something's Got to Give is one of the most notorious unfinished films in Hollywood history Progress on the film was arduous throughout, and Cukor's relationship with the film's star, Marilyn Monroe, was consistently difficult and he was openly hostile towards her. Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson, June 1 1926 &ndash August 5 1962 baptized Norma Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home several months after the production began and the film was never completed. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West Two years later, Cukor won an Academy Award himself, for Best Director, for My Fair Lady (1964), for which Rex Harrison also won a Best Actor Oscar. My Fair Lady is a musical Film adaptation of the Lerner and Loewe stage musical My Fair Lady, based in turn on the play Sir Reginald “Rex” Carey Harrison (5 March 1908 - 2 June 1990 was an English Academy Award and Tony Award -winning Theatre and Best Actor is the name of an award It is presented by various film organizations Film festivals and people's awards

He continued to work into his 80s and directed his last film, Rich And Famous (1981) with Jacqueline Bisset and Candice Bergen. Rich and Famous is a 1981 comedy drama film made by Jaquet and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Jacqueline Bisset (born Winnifred Jacqueline Fraser-Bisset; September 13 1944) is an English actress. Candice Patricia Bergen (born May 9, 1946) is an Academy Award -nominated and Golden Globe - and Emmy Award -winning American

It was an "open secret" in Hollywood that Cukor was gay. Cukor was also a celebrated bon vivant; during the heyday of Hollywood his home was the site of weekly Sunday parties and his guests knew that they would always find interesting company, good food, and a beautiful atmosphere when they visited. Cukor's friends were of paramount importance to him and he kept his home filled with their photographs. Regular attendees at his soirées included Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy, Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. , Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart, Claudette Colbert, Marlene Dietrich, Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, Richard Cromwell, Judy Garland, Gene Tierney, Noel Coward, Cole Porter, James Whale, Edith Head, and Norma Shearer, especially after the death of her first husband, Irving Thalberg. Katharine Houghton Hepburn (May 12 1907 – June 29 2003 was an American actress of film television and stage Spencer Tracy ( April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was a two-time Academy Award -winning Actor of stage and Joan Crawford (born Lucille Fay LeSueur; ( March 23, 1905 - May 10, 1977) Crawford was signed to a motion picture Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr, KBE, DSC ( December 9, 1909 &ndash May 7, 2000) was an American Actor Claudette Colbert ( IPA: /koʊlˈbɛɹ/ ( September 13, 1903 – July 30, 1996) was a French -born American stage Marlene Dietrich maɐˈleːnə ˈdiːtrɪç (December 27 &ndashMay 6) was a German -born American Actress, Singer and Entertainer Laurence Kerr Olivier Baron Vivien Leigh Lady Olivier (5 November 1913 &ndash 8 July 1967 was an English actress. Richard Cromwell ( 4 October 1626 &ndash 12 July 1712) was the third son of Oliver Cromwell, and the second Lord Protector Judy Garland (born Frances Ethel Gumm; June 10 1922 – June 22 1969 was an American actress and singer Gene Tierney ( November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991) was an American film and stage actress. Sir Noël Peirce Coward ( 16 December 1899 26 March 1973) was an English Actor, Playwright Cole Albert Porter (June 9 1891 &ndash October 15 1964 was an American Composer and songwriter from Peru, Indiana. James Whale ( July 22, 1889 – May 29, 1957) was a British born Film director, best known for his work in the Edith Head ( October 28, 1897 &ndash October 24, 1981) was an American Costume designer who had a long career in Hollywood Edith Norma Shearer (August 10 1900 - June 12 1983 was an Academy Award&ndashwinning Canadian-American actress. Irving Grant Thalberg ( May 30, 1899 – September 14, 1936) was an Academy Award -winning American Film producer

George Cukor died on January 24, 1983 at the age of 83. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) He was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California. Forest Lawn Memorial Park is a privately-owned Cemetery in Glendale, Los Angeles, in the United States. Glendale ( is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States.

Filmography

References

Bibliography

• George Cukor Bibliography (via UC Berkeley)
• Wakeman, John. World Film Directors. New York: H. W. Wilson Company, 1987. ISBN 0-8242-0757-2
• Hillstrom, Laurie Collier. International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers. Detroit: St. James Press, 1997. ISBN 1-55862-302-7
• Katz, Ephraim. The Film Encyclopedia. New York: HarperCollins, 2001. ISBN 0-06-273755-4

External links

• George Cukor at the Internet Movie Database
• Bibliography of books and articles about Cukorvia UC Berkeley Media Resources Center
• George Cukor at the TCM Movie Database
• Senses of Cinema: Great Directors Critical Database
• Gravesite of George Cukor

Persondata
NAME	Cukor, George
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American film director
DATE OF BIRTH	July 7, 1899(1899-07-07)
PLACE OF BIRTH	New York, New York, U.S.
DATE OF DEATH	January 24, 1983
PLACE OF DEATH	Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Turner Classic Movies ( TCM) is a cable television channel featuring commercial -free classic movies mostly from the Turner Entertainment and Warner Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1899 ( MDCCCXCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 1983 ( MCMLXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar) Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the

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